(from Dr. Sullivan’s perspective)

We’ve Seen Some Changes

Change was happening within the veterinary profession even before the pandemic, but change has drastically accelerated over the past four years.

Today, there is a veterinarian and veterinary staff shortage, expenses have increased more than inflation, and the demand for veterinary care has increased. This has resulted in overworked and tired veterinary professionals.

At Medical District Veterinary Clinic, we have always striven to maintain a healthy work-life balance for our staff. Despite these recent challenges, we remain committed to that goal. This blog post shares the facts about the impact of changes on our clinic and what that means for our clients.

Lots of Growth in Veterinary Medicine

Since the start of the pandemic there has been:

• An increase in demand for veterinary services (and an increase in consumer spending overall)
• An increase in pet ownership in the US, from 67% of households to 70% of households (according to US News and World Report)
• An increase in spending on pets in the US, jumping 19% between 2020 and 2021 for a total of $123.6 billion annually (according to Forbes)

On grooming, pet food, veterinary care, and luxury pet items, households are spending more than ever before. The largest group of pet owners is millennials, making up 32% of pet owners, followed by baby boomers at 27%.

While on the surface, this sounds great for the veterinary industry, it has resulted in stress across the profession. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff have been stretched thin. The staffing issues that already existed within the profession were made worse by the acute, dramatic change in demand.

Growth at Medical District Vet Clinic

Things were no different at our practice. At the height of the staffing challenges, we had veterinarians and support staff seek positions at other practices, leaving us short-staffed and unable to meet our client demand. Unfortunately, this resulted in our inability to meet all our patients’ needs, and we had to deal with many frustrated and upset clients. As a result, staff and veterinarians were further discouraged and facing burnout.

Fortunately, we were able to recruit and hire three veterinarians and three certified veterinary technicians. We are very lucky to be in a position to offer competitive salary and benefits packages to aid in recruitment. We are now fully staffed and able to provide staff with work-life balance while also having availability to see patients in a timely manner.

But Also Some Negative Developments

Negative effects on the veterinary industry since COVID include large increases in both overall expenses and no-show appointments.

A trend for increased veterinary expenses over the past few years saw the biggest bump up in late 2022/early 2023. Drug and medical supplies, laboratory costs, and staffing costs have all increased. Total costs have increased at a rate higher than US inflation.

We have also seen a disappointing client trend, at our clinic and across the industry: a large increase in no-show appointments. We noticed this trend months ago and started tracking no-shows. We changed our confirmation protocol to help owners remember upcoming appointments, but that did not seem to make much difference.

March 2023 was by far our worst month: we had 92 no-shows. This is 92 more patients we could have helped or not had to refer to an emergency clinic if clients would have just called to let us know they would not be coming. As an existing client, you might be thinking this issue must be related to new clients, and you are partially correct. However, almost two-thirds of our no-shows are existing clients.

To combat this alarming new trend, we and other practices have implemented measures including cancellation/no-show fees or deposits required to book appointments.

How We Are Responding to These Trends

So what changes you can expect at the Medical District Veterinary Clinic? We will continue to strive to provide exceptional, high-quality veterinary care, while also providing our staff with the support to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Because of the overall increase in expenses, we must increase prices to meet our costs. However, our prices for long-term medications will continue to match PetMeds’ online prices (see chart). Offering these medications at competitive prices provides convenience to our clients and allows us to help with clients’ issues or questions regarding pharmaceuticals. You also help us maintain that revenue stream when you purchase your pet’s medications from us instead of online.

PetMeds Price-Matched Medications
Heartgard Plus (6/12 packs)
Sentinel Spectrum (6/12 packs)
NexGard (6/12 packs)
Simparica Trio (6/12 packs)
Senergy Cats (6/12 packs)
Rimadyl Chewable Tablets (60/90/180 count)
Deramaxx Chewable tablets (30/60/90 count)

Beginning in May, we will also be instituting a deposit to book an appointment for all new clients as well as for existing clients who have a history of no-show.

We understand that sometimes life gets in the way, things happen, and clients may occasionally miss appointments. Unfortunately, the trends we are seeing have left us without another option. The deposit will be refundable if the appointment is canceled prior to 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. Please see here for the complete policy.

Thank you!

Lastly, I want to thank you all for trusting us in caring for your pets. I can speak on behalf of all the staff at Medical District Veterinary Clinic: We truly love what we do and daily have your pet’s best interest in mind.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Or compliments! Compliments for staff and doctors are always greatly appreciated.

Truly,

Drew Sullivan, DVM
Director, Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Para leer el blog en español, haga clic aquí

With Chicago’s changing weather, who knows what season we’re currently in right now? And with the season change comes … seasonal allergies, or just allergies in general.

That’s the tricky part that we veterinarians face. We have to investigate and determine what type of allergies your pet is experiencing, and if it is truly allergies versus something else.

As many of you may know, just like people get allergies, so do pets. The signs, however, can be a little different. Many times your pet will show signs of scratching, biting, chewing, and rubbing certain areas of their bodies. You can even see redness, inflammation, fur loss, and, in severe cases, open, infected wounds.

There are many components to allergies, and getting a detailed history from you during the initial vet visit is very important. So although it may seem like an interrogation in the exam room, this is when we are putting all of the puzzle pieces together in our head and thinking of the best diagnostic tests and treatment options for your pet. Each pet is different, and treatment varies on a case-by-case basis.

Flea Allergy

“My cat doesn’t go outside.” “My dog isn’t around other dogs.” “I’ve never seen any fleas on my pet.”

Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there. Did you know that 1 female flea can lay between 20 and 50 eggs a day?

At times, the only evidence we have to suspect that there are fleas present is flea dirt, which is basically flea feces. Areas that can be affected by fleas include the tail base, neck region, and belly, although fleas can be found anywhere on the body.

A flea allergy is caused by the saliva of the flea itself. All it takes is a few bites to see clinical signs. Fleas can survive at a wide range of temperatures, so it is important to have your pet on flea and tick preventatives year-round to avoid flea allergy dermatitis. Read more about fleas.

Food Allergy

Pets can also have hypersensitivities to certain foods. Although potential allergens can include the food dye, carbohydrates, or preservatives, often it’s the protein source that is the culprit. A food allergy is diagnosed based on a detailed history and, most importantly, a strict food trial.

A food trial consists of feeding your pet a hydrolyzed diet or novel protein for a minimum of 8 weeks. This diet is very strict, and it is important that you only feed the novel protein or hydrolyzed diet. You must not feed any additional foods or treats. Keep in mind that many medications and monthly preventatives can be flavored so you must monitor closely what you are feeding and giving your pet. If after the trial period your pet is symptom free, a food challenge is performed. This consists of introducing the previously fed diet and watching for signs of itching or scratching. More details regarding a food trial can be discussed with your veterinarian. Read more about food allergies.

Seasonal vs Environmental Allergies

These can get tricky and hard to diagnose so, as previously mentioned, a thorough history becomes very important. We must investigate if there is any pattern to the clinical signs. Are the signs happening when it is warmer out vs colder? Do the signs show up after walks or after visiting certain areas, like a park or forest preserve? Every detail matters, so it is important to reach out to your veterinarian when your pet starts experiencing signs of excessive itching, scratching, licking, fur thinning, etc.

Treatment for Allergies

Treatment varies on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, we want to control your pet’s clinical signs but also make your pet comfortable and clear of any secondary infections. Contact your local veterinarian when you start seeing any of the previously mentioned clinical signs.

There are several allergy medications to try. Each pet is different, and sometimes it can take some trial and error to find what works best for your pet, whether that is a single medication or a combination of medications. Allergy medications come in oral, injectable, and topical formats. Your veterinarian will determine which one suits you and your pet’s lifestyle.

Is It Even Allergies?

Although fur loss, fur thinning, over-grooming, and biting can be signs of allergies, these can also be signs of stress, especially in cats. Fur thinning and fur loss can even be signs of endocrine diseases, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

If your pet is experiencing any of the clinical signs mentioned throughout this post, please reach out to your veterinarian so they can determine the best diagnostic test and treatment options for your pet. You and your veterinarian form a team that wants the best for your pet.

– Dr. Angelica Calderon

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Comezón de la mascota

Read the blog in English.

Con el clima cambiante de Chicago, quién sabe en qué temporada estamos ahora. Y con el cambio de clima llegan… las alergias. Esa es la parte difícil a la que nos enfrentamos los veterinarios. Tenemos que investigar y determinar qué tipo de alergias está teniendo su mascota y si realmente se trata de alergias o de otra cosa.

Como muchos de ustedes saben, al igual que nosotros podemos tener alergias, las mascotas también pueden hacerlo. Sin embargo, nuestros signos pueden ser un poco diferentes. Muchas veces su mascota puede mostrar signos de rascarse, morderse, y masticar ciertas áreas de su cuerpo. Incluso se puede ver enrojecimiento, inflamación, pérdida de pelo y, en casos graves, heridas abiertas infectadas.

Las alergias tienen muchos componentes y es muy importante obtener un historial detallado durante la visita inicial al veterinario. Entonces, aunque pueda parecer un interrogatorio en la sala de examen, al mismo tiempo estamos juntando todas las piezas del rompecabezas en nuestra cabeza y pensando en las mejores pruebas de diagnóstico y opciones de tratamiento para su mascota, ya que cada mascota es diferente y puede variar según el caso.

Alergia a las pulgas

“Mi gato no sale”, “Mi perro no está con otros perros”, “Nunca he visto pulgas en mi mascota”. Que no los veas no significa que no estén ahí. ¿Sabías que una pulga hembra puede poner aproximadamente de 20 a 50 huevos por día? A veces, la única evidencia que tenemos para sospechar que hay pulgas presentes es la suciedad de pulgas, que es básicamente heces de pulgas. Las áreas que pueden verse afectadas por las pulgas incluyen la base de la cola, la región del cuello y el vientre; aunque se pueden encontrar en cualquier parte del cuerpo. Una alergia a las pulgas es causada por la saliva de la pulga y nada más se necesita algunas picaduras para ver los signos clínicos. Las pulgas pueden sobrevivir en un amplio rango de temperaturas, por lo que es importante que su mascota tome medicamentos preventivos contra pulgas y garrapatas durante todo el año para evitar la dermatitis alérgica por pulgas. Leer más sobre pulgas.

Alergia a la comida

Las mascotas también pueden tener hipersensibilidad a ciertos alimentos. Aunque los alérgenos potenciales pueden incluir colorantes alimentarios, carbohidratos o conservantes; lo más común es la proteína que es la culpable. Una alergia alimentaria se diagnostica en base a un historial detallado y una prueba alimentaria estricta. Una prueba de alimentación consiste en alimentar a tu mascota con una dieta hidrolizada o proteína novedosa durante un mínimo de 8 semanas. Esta dieta es muy estricta y es importante que solo le des la dieta proteica o hidrolizada novedosa. No debe alimentar con alimentos adicionales. Tenga en cuenta que muchos medicamentos y preventivos mensuales pueden tener sabor, por lo que debe controlar de cerca lo que alimenta y le da a su mascota. Si tu mascota está asintomática, se realiza un reto alimentario que consiste en introducir la dieta alimentada previamente y vigilar si presenta signos de picor o rascado. Se pueden discutir más detalles sobre una prueba de alimentos con su veterinario. Leer más sobre alergias alimentarias.

Alergias Estacionales y Ambientales

Estos pueden volverse complicados y difíciles de diagnosticar, por lo que como se mencionó anteriormente, un historial completo y detallado se vuelve muy importante. Debemos investigar si existe algún patrón en los signos clínicos. ¿Están ocurriendo los signos cuando hace más calor que cuando hace más frío? ¿Aparecen los signos después de caminatas o después de visitar ciertas áreas como un parque o una reserva forestal? Cada detalle es importante por lo que es importante comunicarse con su veterinario cuando su mascota comience a enseñar signos de picazón excesiva, rascado, lamido, adelgazamiento del pelaje, etc.

Tratamiento para Alergias

El tratamiento varía según el caso. Queremos controlar los signos clínicos de sus mascotas, pero también hacer que su mascota se sienta cómoda y libre de infecciones secundarias. Esto significa comunicarse con su veterinario local cuando comience a ver cualquiera de los signos clínicos mencionados anteriormente. Hay varios medicamentos para la alergia para probar, sin embargo, cada mascota es diferente y, a veces, puede tomar un poco de prueba y error para finalmente encontrar lo que funciona mejor para su mascota. Qué puede significar un solo medicamento o una combinación de diferentes medicamentos. En cuanto a los medicamentos, hay varias opciones orales para probar, así como opciones inyectables y opciones tópicas. Su veterinario determinará cuál se adapta mejor a usted y al estilo de vida de su mascota.

¿Es incluso alergias?

Aunque la pérdida de pelaje, el adelgazamiento del pelaje, el aseo excesivo y las mordeduras pueden ser signos de alergias; estos también pueden ser signos de estrés, principalmente en gatos. El adelgazamiento y la pérdida de pelo pueden incluso ser signos de varias enfermedades endocrinas como el hipertiroidismo o el hipotiroidismo.

Si su mascota enseña alguno de los signos clínicos mencionados en esta publicación, comuníquese con su veterinario para que pueda determinar las mejores opciones de prueba de diagnóstico y tratamiento para su mascota. Somos un equipo y queremos lo mejor para tu mascota.

– Dr. Angelica Calderon

Osteoarthritis in pets is often thought of as a geriatric pet disease that warrants treatment when our pets are obviously painful and experiencing lameness. However, osteoarthritis often starts younger than you might expect, and pain may be present even before lameness is apparent.

Let’s start with what osteoarthritis is: it’s the most common form of arthritis and it is characterized by painful inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints. Over time, it can lead to bone-on-bone contact.

Many factors contribute to the disease process, including overweight or obesity, abnormal joint development, past injury or orthopedic surgery, and how a pet is built.

In dogs, early signs of this disease can include:

• restlessness or irritability,
• frequent position changes during rest,
• not as fast getting up or sitting down,
• weight shifting while standing,
• less interest in activity or play, and
• hesitation before walking, sitting, or climbing stairs.

Eventually, a dog may begin to limp, to experience stiffness when walking, and to have difficulty going up or down stairs and jumping up or down.

In cats, osteoarthritis may look like a reduction in play, grooming, socializing, and appetite, with increases in hiding and sleeping and changes in urination/defecation habits. Cats can also have trouble jumping up/down, climbing up or down stairs, running, and chasing objects.

Because this disease is painful and progressive, early diagnosis and treatment are important for long-term pain management and slowing the progression of the disease. Treatment includes a combination of pain medication, weight loss or maintenance, dietary changes, environmental modification, and exercise. 

If you feel your pet may be showing signs of osteoarthritis, our clinic can share additional resources on how to know if your pet has this disease and talk with you about treatment options.  

– Dr. Jeanette Barragan

Photo by Madalyn Cox on Unsplash

Lee esto en español —>

Happy Paw-lidays! As festivities begin, we want all involved to have a joyful and safe holiday season. Here are some tips to help you keep your four-legged loved ones out of mischief:

No Pawcuterie Boards, Please!

Many already know chocolate is a big no-no for our pets, but keep in mind that almost all human food is high in fat content—and that can lead to big issues! Keep any alcohol, bones, fatty, sweet, or spicy foods in places your pet cannot reach. Visit the ASPCA website for some great information on what not to feed

Instead of human food, consider keeping the dinner portion of your pet’s food in a container for yourself and your guests to use as “treats” throughout the evening.

Instead of showing your love through food, consider switching out toys (perfect excuse for an early gift), adding catnip to some new or old favorite ones, or looking up some fun DIY food puzzles to make with the family!

Tempting Trash

Keep trash away from your pets by securing the lids or taking it out immediately. Think about what we’re likely to throw away…

• Fats and bones can lead to obstructions, pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues that can result in a veterinary emergency.
• Leftover dough can rise in your pet’s belly and cause bloat.
• Leftover sweets can contain xylitol (sugar substitute), which can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or even death.
• Strings/tinsel, aluminum foil, plastic wraps, and broken ornaments/glass can cause foreign body obstructions and serious injuries.
• Old batteries can cause acid burns all the way from the mouth to the stomach!

Open Flames and Toxic Essential Oils

Keep your eye on any open flames, including menorahs, scented candles, stoves, or fireplaces, and keep them out of reach, since you are more likely to be distracted during this busy time.

Essential oils are not only irritating to our pets’ sensitive noses, but cats can absorb the oils through their skin or lick it off their fur after it has been diffused in the air. Toxicity can occur quickly or after prolonged exposure.

• Cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, pennyroyal, sweet birch, tea tree (malaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang oils are all toxic to cats.

Instead of essential oils to scent your home, consider baking cookies right before guests arrive (or every night; we don’t judge).

Holiday Paw-ties and Decor

• Christmas trees
  • Keep secure by tying to the ceiling or doorframe and secure with a sturdy tree stand. Cat parent pro tip: Place horizontal and vertical scratching posts near the tree. Providing both types of scratching posts will increase the chances of your kitty using the post instead of the tree!Do not allow your pets to drink the water from live trees as this can cause gastrointestinal upset. Also, do not add aspirin, sugar, or any other additives to the water.
  • Keep tinsel and ornaments that can be broken or that are made from food-based materials (such as salt-dough) out of reach of pets to avoid injuries such as intestinal blockage.
• Electrical cords and lights
  • Chewing on the cords and lights can cause severe burns. Consider covering the cords with PVC pipes, offering alternatives like chew toys and treats, or using pet-safe bitter spray to keep from chewing cords.
  • Unplug decorations when not in use.
• Flowers and festive plants
  • Many common holiday plants can be poisonous to pets if ingested. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for a list of plants that are toxic to dogs and cats.

This time of year can also be louder than usual at home and in the neighborhood. For information on helping your pets get through loud noises, such as fireworks, see our June blog post.

We will be closed from December 24 through 27 and from December 31 through January 2, so please contact your local 24/7 clinic or call ASPCA or the Pet Poison Helpline (see numbers below) if you’re unsure of next steps. While consultation fees may apply (usually between $65 and $75), knowing the next steps for the health of your pet is priceless!

– Dr. Ana Valbuena

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Como mantener las mascotas seguras durante los días festivos!

¡Felices fiestas! ¡A medida que comienzan las festividades, queremos que todos los involucrados tengan una temporada navideña alegre y segura! Aquí hay algunos consejos para ayudarlo a mantener a sus seres queridos de cuatro patas fuera de las travesuras:

¡No a las tablas de ‘pawcuterie’, por favor!

• Muchos ya saben que no se les puede dar chocolate a nuestras mascotas, pero tenga en cuenta que casi todos los alimentos humanos son altos en contenido de grasa y pueden causar problemas. Mantenga cualquier tipo de alcohol, huesos, alimentos grasosos, dulces o comidas picantes en lugares fuera del alcance de sus mascotas. Visite el sitio web de ASPCA para más información sobre alimentos a evitar.
• En lugar de comida humana, considere mantener la porción de la cena de sus mascotas en un recipiente para usarlo como “golosinas” durante toda la noche.
• En lugar de mostrar su amor a través de la comida, considere cambiar los juguetes (excusa perfecta para un regalo temprano), agregar ‘catnip’, o comprar/’DIY’/hacer rompecabezas de comida con la familia.

Basura tentadora

• Mantenga la basura alejada de sus mascotas asegurando las tapas o sacándola inmediatamente. Piensa en lo que es probable que tiremos a la basura…
  • Grasas y huesos pueden provocar obstrucciones, pancreatitis, vómitos, diarrea y otros problemas que pueden resultar en una emergencia veterinaria.
  • La masa sobrante puede elevarse en el vientre de sus mascotas y causar distensión abdominal.
  • Los dulces pueden contener xilitol (sustituto del azúcar), que puede causar niveles bajos de azúcar en la sangre, convulsiones, insuficiencia hepática o incluso la muerte.
  • Las cuerdas / oropel, el papel de aluminio, las envolturas de plástico y los adornos / vidrios rotos pueden causar obstrucciones y lesiones graves.
  • Las baterías viejas pueden causar quemaduras de ácido desde la boca hasta el estómago.

Llamas abiertas y aceites esenciales tóxicos

• Mantenga su ojo en cualquier llama abierta como menorás, velas perfumadas, estufas o chimeneas durante esta temporada y manténgalas fuera de su alcance, ya que es más probable que nos distraigamos durante este tiempo.
• Los aceites esenciales no solo son irritantes para la nariz sensible de nuestras mascotas, sino que los gatos pueden absorber los aceites a través de su piel o lamerlo de su pelaje después de ser difundidos en el aire: la toxicidad puede ocurrir rápidamente o después de una exposición prolongada.
  • La canela, los cítricos, la menta, el pino, el poleo, el abedul dulce, el árbol de té (malaleuca), la gaulteria y los aceites de ylang ylang son tóxicos para los gatos.
• En lugar de aceites esenciales, considere hornear galletas justo antes de que lleguen los invitados (o todas las noches- no juzgamos).

Fiestas y decoración navideña

• Árboles de Navidad
  • Asegure el árbol navideño atándolo al techo o al marco de la puerta y asegúrelo con un soporte de árbol resistente.
  • Consejo profesional para padres de gato: coloque un poste de rascado horizontal y vertical cerca del árbol
    • ¡Proporcionar ambos tipos de postes para rascar aumentará las posibilidades de que su gatito use el poste en lugar del árbol!
  • No permita que sus mascotas beban el agua de los árboles vivos, ya que esto puede causar malestar gastrointestinal.
    • No agregue aspirina, azúcar o cualquier otro aditivo al agua.
  • Mantener los adornos y el oropel que se pueden romper o hacer de materiales a base de alimentos, como la masa de sal, debe mantenerse fuera del alcance de las mascotas para evitar lesiones como la obstrucción intestinal.
• Cables eléctricos y luces
  • Masticar los cables y las luces puede causar quemaduras graves, así que considere cubrir los cables con tubos de PVC, ofrezca otras alternativas de masticación como juguetes y golosinas, o compre aerosol amargo que sea seguro para mascotas.
  • Desenchufe las decoraciones cuando no estén en uso.
• Flores y plantas festivas
  • Muchas plantas navideñas pueden ser venenosas para las mascotas si se ingieren. Visite ASPCA para obtener una lista de plantas que son tóxicas para perros y gatos.

¡Esta época del año también puede ser más ruidosa de lo habitual en casa y en el vecindario! Para obtener más información sobre cómo ayudar a sus mascotas a superar ruidos fuertes como los fuegos artificiales, ¡consulte nuestra publicación de junio!

Estaremos cerrados del 24 al 27 de Diciembre y del 31 de Diciembre al 2 de Enero, así que comuníquese con su clínica local las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana o llame a ASPCA o a la línea de ayuda de envenenamiento para mascotas (consulte los números a continuación) si no está seguro de los próximos pasos. Se pueden aplicar tarifas de consulta (generalmente entre $65-75).

– Dr. Ana Valbuena

…And What You Can Do to Help

After a decade in practice, I’m thankful I’ve only had to go the hospital for a cat bite once. Since then, I’ve gained a lot of experience and understanding of the feline psyche, and my best summation of how cats perceive going to the vet is this: It’s an alien abduction.

Think about it. For the most part, cats live their whole lives in a relatively small area, and an overwhelming majority of them love it that way.

The most important aspect of a cat’s life is their territory (which includes you). Their territory is their world, their home planet.

Most cats rarely travel in cars and only ever see a travel carrier when they are headed to the vet. Imagine, you’re living your life on your home planet, then you are forced into a pod, and thrust into a metal vessel, and taken to a faraway place that smells aseptic and strange. While there, a weird, hairless ape pokes and prods you. Then, you are thrust back into the pod, whisked home, and your owner acts like nothing happened.

I’m honestly surprised more cats haven’t attacked me. I’d like to think I’d put up a fight too, if I was abducted by aliens. However, maybe if they had a nice spread out and some calming aromatherapy, I’d be amenable to some polite questioning.

Making the Vet Visit as Low Stress as Possible

So that’s what we try to do for your feline family members. Here at Medical District Veterinary Clinic, we are Fear Free Certified. This means all the staff members here have taken training in how to make the veterinary experience as low stress as possible.

We have cat treats at the ready, Feliway spray aplenty, and a separate cat area. We also have gone to great lengths to learn how cats think and how to read their body language. We understand what’s important to them.

Cats often get a bad rap. People think that cats are aloof and don’t care about anything, but cats care about everything! Please know that we are doing our best to be peaceful and compassionate alien overlords.

Try This at Home

There are a few things you can do as well to make the trip to the vet a little less stressful. The first is getting your furry felines accustomed to the carriers you use to take them places.

Just bringing the carrier out before a vet visit can be a trigger. If you’re able to leave the carriers out, put your cat’s favorite treats or toys in there. This small step can help greatly to reduce your cat’s aversion to the carrier.

You can also try using products like Feliway spray, Composure treats for cats, or Rescue Remedy. If you think your kitty needs something stronger, talk to us and we may prescribe medications to help make the visit less stressful. For more information about eliminating the stress in your cat’s life, The Ohio State University Veterinary College has a wonderful site call the Indoor Pet Initiative with information about dogs and cats.

So remember, next time Fluffy’s wellness exam comes around, you may be envisioning All Creatures Great and Small, but they may be thinking more Schwarzenegger in Predator.

—Alyssa Kritzman, DVM

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I frequently speak with pet owners whose dog has a suspected CCL injury. Here are the most common questions these owners have.

What is a CCL (cranial cruciate ligament)?

The cranial cruciate ligament is a ligament inside the knee of dogs that provides stability of the knee when a dog runs and walks. This ligament is very similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (known as the ACL) in people. These ligaments in dogs and people have nearly identical anatomy but different names because dogs walk on four limbs and people on two. CCL ligaments are only found in dogs’ back legs.

How is an injury to this ligament diagnosed?

In most cases, dogs present to the veterinary clinic with a back leg lameness or limp. Veterinarians will examine the dog, trying to isolate the source of pain. Veterinarians use two techniques to test the stability of the knee: cranial tibial thrust and cranial drawer. If there is thrust and/or drawer present in a dog’s knee, this indicates there is a CCL injury. X-rays are often recommended to help rule out any other causes of pain or lameness, but the ligament itself cannot be seen on x-rays. There are some x-ray findings that make veterinarians suspicious of underlying CCL injury, but true diagnosis is made from physical exam and laxity in the knee joint.

How did this rupture happen?

In dogs, cranial cruciate ligament injury and/or rupture is thought to be due to degeneration of the ligament over time. Unlike people, where a traumatic injury – often sports-related – causes ACL injuries, in dogs the cause is usually degeneration, which leads to injury or even rupture through normal activity. Although a traumatic injury can cause a CCL rupture in dogs, it is less common.

What can we do to help our dog feel better?

When a dog experiences a CCL injury, anti-inflammatory pain medications and rest are recommended. Human pain medications are not safe for dogs, so be sure to consult your veterinarian to discuss appropriate medications for your dog. In addition to rest and medications, surgery is the gold standard for treatment of a CCL injury. Various surgical techniques are available, and your veterinarian will discuss the best option for your dog.

How much does surgery cost?

I recommend that owners see a board-certified surgeon for their pet’s orthopedic surgery. These veterinarians have had additional training to specialize in advanced surgical techniques. As previously mentioned, there are multiple different surgical stabilization techniques for CCL injuries. The most-performed technique in the Chicago area is the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). These procedures cost between $4,000 to $6,000 in Chicagoland.

Can we use a brace like in humans?

Unfortunately, braces and/or wraps are typically not beneficial in dogs. This is because dogs walk on their tiptoes, so their knee is always bent. (Try it: If you stand on your tiptoes, your knee will be bent too). We humans walk flat-footed, so our weight can transfer from our hip to heel. Since this weight transfer cannot occur in dogs, braces are ineffective.

What if surgery is not an option?

In many cases, surgery is not financially feasible, or it may not be in the best interest of the dog due to other underlying health issues. In these cases, I recommend multi-modal therapy. This includes strict rest for 4 to 8 weeks, long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), high-quality omega-3 supplements, and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, along with weight loss. After the period of rest, physical therapy can be very beneficial as well.

With time, the knee will stabilize, but with the stabilization comes more arthritis formation. The body develops arthritis to try to stabilize the knee joint. Surgery on the knee reduces instability, so the body does not form as much arthritis in that joint. However, even with arthritis, dogs are able to compensate well. Many dogs do well without surgery, although the injured leg may always cause some discomfort. The dogs that typically do not do well without surgery are very large dogs that already have joint disease, such as advanced hip dysplasia.

One exception to the surgery rule is toy breed dogs and cats. We do not commonly see CCL injuries in these pets, but when we do, they typically do really well with cage rest and medications and surgery is not often needed.

What about the other leg?

Unfortunately, over 50% of dogs will rupture their other CCL within a year of the first rupture. This can be explained by the fact that both ligaments are typically degenerating at a similar rate. I like to always warn owners of this because they may be faced with the decision to pursue surgery again soon.

How can we prevent a CCL injury?

Unfortunately, there seems to be a hereditary component. We do not have a good method of determining which dogs that will have CCL injuries in their life. However, maintaining an ideal weight is key to joint health. I would also recommend considering pet insurance prior to any issues. Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, so don’t wait until your pet starts limping. I have seen CCL injuries in dogs as young as 6 months old, but most commonly we see them in medium to large breed, active, overweight dogs aged 2 to 6 years old.

Dr. Drew Sullivan

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Toxicidades de Mascotas en Los Días Festivos

Read the blog in English

Llegar al final del verano puede tener personas con diferentes sentimientos. Sí, al terminal el verano significa el final de las fiestas en la piscina y las carnes asadas; sin embargo, es el comienzo del clima de suéter, pumpkin spice y los días festivos. Y con eso vienen las reuniones familiares y lo más importante, los dulces y la excelente comida!

Halloween y chocolate

Lo primero en nuestra lista es el día festivo favorito de la mayoría de los niños (y muchos adultos), Halloween. No solo puedes vestirte a ti y a tus mascotas como personajes chistosos, sino que también puedes comer todos los dulces del mundo y no ser juzgado.

Sin embargo, eso conlleva algunas responsabilidades. Como muchos de ustedes saben, el chocolate puede ser altamente tóxico para perros y gatos cuando se ingiere. Cómo puede afectar exactamente a su mascota? Bueno, la toxina del chocolate que puede afectar a perros y gatos se llama teobromina, a la que los animales pueden ser muy sensibles porque no pueden metabolizarla tan bien como las personas pueden.

La cantidad de teobromina varía según el tipo de chocolate consumido. Por ejemplo, el chocolate para hornear contiene más teobromina que el chocolate con leche, que contiene más teobromina que el chocolate blanco. En casos leves, puede ver signos de malestar estomacal como vómitos, diarrea e inapetencia. Los signos más graves incluyen convulsiones, jadeo, inquietud, nerviosismo y espasmos.

Independientemente de la cantidad y el tipo de chocolate que consuma su mascota, es importante que se comunique con su veterinario local o con el centro de control de envenenamiento, donde podrán guiarlo mejor hacia el siguiente paso para garantizar que su mascota se mantenga segura y saludable.

El xilitol

Un ingrediente que puede ser dañino e incluso letal para las mascotas se llama xilitol. El xilitol es un sustituto del azúcar que se puede encontrar en muchos dulces que dicen “sugar free”, goma de mascar/chicles, mentas, vitamínicas en goma, galletas, etc.

Centro Nacional de Control de
Envenenamiento Animal de ASPCA:

888-426 4435

Línea de ayuda para
envenenamiento de mascotas:

800-213-6680

Dato curioso: la pasta de dientes también puede contener xilitol debido a su sabor y propiedades antibacterianas. Este sustituto del azúcar puede ser letal en tan solo una hora si su perro consume una gran cantidad. El consumo de xilitol puede provocar hipoglucemia que puede causar vómitos, debilidad, falta de coordinación, temblores, y convulsiones. También puede provocar insuficiencia hepática debido a la liberación excesiva de insulina.

En caso de duda y su mascota se apodera y consume algo que sospecha que contiene xilitol, es importante anotar lacantidad ingerida y llevar a su mascota junto con el empaque original a su veterinario local para recibir tratamiento. También puede comunicarse con el control de envenenamiento para obtener más recomendaciones.

Los días festivos llenos de comida

Pavo, jamón, relleno, puré de papas, macarrones con queso y mi favorito, tamales. Ahora estamos entrando en los días festivos llenos de comida. Con nuestros platillos favoritos vienen algunos ingredientes que no son los mejores para nuestras mascotas. Las cebollas, el ajo y las pasas son unos ingredientes principales en muchos platillos que les dan el último toque de sabor a nuestra comida.

Estos pueden ser dañinos para nuestras mascotas si se ingieren en gran cantidad, incluso en forma seca, en polvo o cocida. Los primeros signos que puede notar son vómito, diarrea, gastroenteritis y dolor abdominal. Los signos más graves pueden tardar varios días, pero puede observar un aumento de la frecuencia/esfuerzo cardíaco y respiratorio, debilidad, orina descolorida, colapso, daño renal e incluso la muerte.

Esto sucede porque contienen agentes oxidantes que provocan hemólisis oxidativa, lo que significa destrucción de los glóbulos rojos. Necesitamos glóbulos rojos para transportar oxígeno por todo el cuerpo y, si se destruyen, los órganos vitales no pueden obtener suficiente oxígeno. El tratamiento temprano puede disminuir el riesgo de efectos graves, por lo que si sospecha que su mascota ha ingerido algo que no debería, comuníquese con su veterinario local o con el control de envenenamiento.

También es importante tomar en cuenta que aunque el jamón es plato muy común en los días festivos, alimentar a tu mascota con huesos crudos puede ser muy peligroso. Esto puede ser un peligro de asfixia y existe el riesgo de lesiones si el hueso se astilla y se atasca o perfora el tracto digestivo de su mascota. Una cirugía para remover un hueso del estómago o intestinos es una emergencia médica!

Otras comidas que debe evitar alimentar a sus mascotas

Una comida con mucha grasa

Ahora no entraré en Navidad todavía, lo guardaré para otro blog. Lo que mencionaré es, sí lo adivinaste, pancreatitis.

Puede preguntarse qué es exactamente la pancreatitis, bueno, es la inflamación del páncreas. El páncreas es un órgano pequeño que se encuentra justo debajo del estómago y cerca del duodeno (una parte del intestino delgado). Su trabajo principal es secretar enzimas digestivas que ayudan a descomponer los nutrientes de los alimentos que comemos. También secreta insulina y glucagón que ayudan a regular el uso de esos nutrientes.

Cómo contraen pancreatitis nuestras mascotas? Pues, una comida repentina con mucha grasa es una de las presentaciones clásicas. Asegúrese de guardar todas las sobras de las fiestas en un lugar donde sus mascotas no puedan alcanzarlas, o pueden contraer pancreatitis si ingieren una gran cantidad de alimentos grasos. Otras causas de pancreatitis incluyen desequilibrios hormonales como diabetes mellitus e hipotiroidismo, ciertos medicamentos, trauma pancreático, tumores y obesidad.

Cuando hay inflamación del páncreas, los signos clínicos que puede ver en sus mascotas incluyen dolor abdominal, pérdida de apetito, vómitos, diarrea y fiebre. Si sospecha que su mascota pudo haber ingerido alimentos que no debería y nota cualquiera de los signos clínicos mencionados anteriormente, comuníquese con su veterinario local para obtener más recomendaciones/tratamiento.

– Dr. Angelica Calderon

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Summer is winding down, and soon we’ll be able to enjoy cooler autumn weather. Along with the cooler weather comes the misconception that our pets no longer need their monthly flea and tick prevention.

Although it’s true that a lot of tick species are most active in the summer, there are some species of ticks that remain active in the fall in Illinois. Likewise, flea season in Illinois can last well into the winter. In fact, flea and tick infestations are most frequently encountered in September through November. Without the protection of monthly prevention, fleas and ticks can cause a variety of health issues for our pets.

Fleas

Our pets can get fleas from just about anywhere, including from other animals, outdoors, and even an indoor environment if the fleas hitch a ride from the outside on shoes. Fleas can cause itching and discomfort, and if your pet is allergic to fleas, they can develop flea allergy dermatitis. Flea allergy dermatitis causes intense itching, severe discomfort, hair loss, and secondary skin infections. In severe flea infestations, our pets can develop anemia secondary to blood loss from the fleas feeding. Finally, fleas also put our pets at risk for intestinal parasites called tapeworms, and Bartonella, a bacterial infection that may cause severe disease and require up to 6 weeks of treatment.

Ticks

Ticks can attach during walks, hikes, or any outdoor activity. This is especially true in wooded areas or places with tall grasses. Ticks can carry Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis along with other bacterial and protozoal diseases. A variety of clinical signs can develop from these diseases, including swollen joints and lymph nodes, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, pets can develop heart and liver disease and kidney failure.

In addition to the health issues fleas and ticks cause for our pets, they can also infest your household. Clearing your household of these infestations can be labor-intensive, costly, and may take weeks to months to be fully effective.

So, as we approach the cooler months, keep your pets healthy and safe and resist the urge to skip that next monthly dose of their flea and tick prevention.

Dr. Jeanette Barragan

Photo by Tim Golder on Unsplash

Summer is here and full of celebrations, but these celebrations can induce high stress and anxiety in our pets! With fireworks ramping up, it is important to recognize the signs of anxiety and be prepared.  

Here are some tips on how to get through firework season:

Create a Safe Space

• Pets usually do better if they are not left home alone during fireworks events. This may not be possible, so creating a safe space is important!
• Keep windows, doors, and curtains closed to minimize the noise and light.
• Consider a white noise machine for the area they like to hide.
  • White noise or classical music is preferred over radio and TV as human voices or loud sounds can worsen anxiety.
  • “Through a Dog’s Ear” is a series of classical selections that has been shown to have calming effects on dogs. This is available on Spotify and Apple Music!
• Add pheromones (Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs) around the safe space.
  • Pheromones mimic the calming scent of the mother and have been found to decrease anxiety in cats and dogs.

Extra Exercise

• Play with their favorite toys or go on a longer walk to help tire them out.
• If possible, head out for the long walk before the sun sets.
• Double-check the fit of the collar and harness before going outside as the chances of loud noises scaring them off is much higher.

Encourage Hydration

• Fear makes dogs pant and summer is extra warm, so make sure to provide fresh water in multiple spots, particularly if they like to hide.

Calming Supplements and Sedatives

• If your pet has had bad reactions to fireworks or other noises in the past, reach out to discuss available supplements or sedatives to help keep them calm!

Signs of anxiety can include shaking, panting, drooling, excessive vocalizing, hiding, packing, and bolting. Escape attempts usually involve hiding in the home but the source of noise can be very confusing, so some dogs may want to escape to the outside. In fact, American pet advocacy groups point out that Independence Day is the busiest day of the year in shelters with pets getting lost or hurt. 

Tags and Microchips

• 1 in 3 pets go missing in their lifetime. Ensure they are wearing a collar tag and microchip with up-to-date information.
• Don’t know your pet’s unique microchip number? Check your veterinary or adoption paperwork or call a nearby shelter or veterinarian to have your pet scanned!
• If you do not know the brand of the microchip, visit the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Universal Pet Microchip Lookup to find the manufacturer so you can contact them to provide accurate contact information. 

And remember, firework debris can be present the morning after – and can be toxic! Watch out for debris and other items on the ground.

Lastly, Medical District Veterinary Clinic will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Monday, July 4, so please make sure to note the number and address to the closest emergency clinic.

We wish you and your beloved companions a happy and stress-free holiday!

Dr. Valbuena

As most of us start returning to normal (well, at least a “new” normal), a lot of us are starting to make plans for new adventures to new places. For those of you who want to take your furry family members, your first thoughts may be about what size carrier you will need, or if your pets will need something to calm their nerves. But first and foremost, you should familiarize with yourself with this website:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

That’s because the almost every animal that crosses international borders needs approval from the federal government, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to be specific. Each nation on the planet has its own set of requirements for an animal to enter that country, and a USDA-certified veterinarian needs to sign off that your pet has met those requirements.

This process can be as simple as keeping a rabies vaccine up to date (Germany) or as complicated as sending blood samples across the globe to be tested for certain diseases well before their little paws get anywhere near the airport (South Africa). It can sometimes take months of preparation (Hawaii and Australia), or strict time frames that require multiple pet visits (England).

Luckily, all the doctors at the Medical District Veterinary Clinic have USDA certification to complete these health certificates, and we can help guide you through the process making sure you cat or dog can safely travel.

But there are a few things that we ask of you:

1. Notify our clinic as soon as you have any inclination that you may want to travel with your pet. This process is T-E-D-I-O-U-S, it takes a lot of our time to ensure that your pet has everything it needs, and especially if you have let your pet become overdue for vaccines, it can add months to prepare your pet for travel.
2. Understand that this can be costly. It takes a lot of people and time to ensure that your pet qualifies to travel. The bureaucracy can be very frustrating, but remember that it is in place to ensure the same transport for not only your pet, but for the public as a whole. Plus, some countries require tests that can cost several hundred dollars (Aloha, Hawaii and Australia!).
3. Plan to do some legwork on your own. Since COVID, the USDA APHIS office has gone digital in many ways. All paperwork has to be submitted electronically and then mailed back to you. That means you’ll have to provide a rabies certificate (if we haven’t vaccinated your pet) and a pre-paid shipping label in PDF form to be digitally submitted.

Finally, if all of this makes you go cross-eyed, there are companies that will help you through this whole process. They can make your life and ours a lot easier too.

Happy travels and, before I sign off, I’d like to say “Welcome!” to our new doctors, Dr. Valbuena, Dr. Barragan, and Dr. Calderon! I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to work with these exceptional veterinarians.

— Dr. Alyssa Kritzman